Eddie Howe hinted that Newcastle might appeal against Anthony Gordon’s “harsh” straight red card in their home FA Cup defeat by Brighton but seemed virtually resigned to being without the England winger in the Carabao Cup final.
Gordon was sent off for raising two hands and shoving the Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke in the head in the 83rd minute of the 2-1 defeat and is set for an automatic three-game ban. It would rule out one of Newcastle’s leading players for the Wembley showpiece against Liverpool in two weeks’ time.
Given the nature of the offence the likelihood of a successful appeal seems remote but Howe said that course of action was possible following a review. “I don’t know quite what’s happened,” he said. “It’s very difficult to form an opinion. I haven’t seen a replay. But my original thought was it looked harsh.
“I’m sure his intention wasn’t to harm anyone. I’ve only seen Anthony briefly and he was very disappointed. I don’t think he’s gone in with any malice or intention to do harm. I’ve got to see it properly before giving a big opinion. But that’s not a common sight with Anthony.
“It’s very disappointing for Anthony and the team but the old cliche is that one person’s disappointment creates a big opportunity for someone else.”
Howe was shattered by Danny Welbeck’s extra-time winner for Brighton after Alexander Isak gave Newcastle the lead from the penalty spot and Yankuba Minteh equalised.
When Isak left the pitch accompanied by a physiotherapist three minutes from normal time, Newcastle fans feared a recurrence of the Sweden striker’s recent groin injury but Howe seemed reasonably relaxed. “I think it was cramp more than anything,” he said. “Just general tightness, not an injury. I don’t think there’s a big problem there. Fingers crossed, Alex is OK.”
There was less positive news regarding Newcastle’s left-back Lewis Hall, who missed the tie with an ankle injury. That problem is sufficiently serious to have necessitated scans and their results have prompted an appointment with a specialist scheduled for this week. The sense is that Hall could well miss the Carabao Cup final while Sven Botman, who did not recover from a knee injury in time to be involved against Brighton, also appears touch and go for Wembley.
“I’m desperately disappointed to have lost,” Howe said. “It was a tough contest, both teams gave everything, there were a lot of emotions.”
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Fabian Hürzeler agreed with the latter sentiment. “It was a very emotional game,” said Brighton’s manager, who saw his right-back Tariq Lamptey sent off for a second bookable offence late in normal time as his side registered a fifth successive win.
“We played with a lot of courage. Our character was impressive. We had to suffer at times but we stayed calm and always stayed together. In the end we found the right solution. I’m really pleased.”
Hürzeler singled out Welbeck for special praise after the 34-year-old striker – a player two years his senior – stepped off the bench to seal the tie. “Danny’s special,” he said. “He’s a great leader, a great role model and a great player.”
Brighton’s manager was certainly not about to pour cold water on suggestions that an unlikely England recall could beckon for Welbeck. “It might be possible,” he said. “But it’s not my decision, all I can say is I’m very happy to work with Danny.”
Source: theguardian.com
